Acetylene-gas generator.



No. 693,078. Patented Feb. Il, |902.

M'. T. STEVENS.

AGETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

(Application led Apr. 13', 1901.)

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet I.

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A llornejs Patented Feb. ll, |902.

` M. T. STEVENS. ACETYL-ENE GAS GENERATOR'.

(Application led Apr. 13,-1901.)

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(Nu Model.)

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Patented Feb. Il, |902.

' M. T. STEVENS.

AGETYLENEl GAS GENERATOR.

(Application filed Apr, 13, 1901.)

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

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Nimm) STAT-Es ATENT OFFICE.

MOTT T. STEVENS, OF VAI'IPETON, NORTH DAKOTA.

ACETYLENE-GAS GENERATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 693,078, dated February11, 1902.

Application filed April 13, 190].. Serial No. 55,735. (No model.)

To MZ?, whom, t may concern;

Be it known that I, MoT'r T. STEVENS, of Vahpeton, in the county ofRichland and State of North Dakota, have invented certain new andusefullmprovements in GraseGrenera-y tors; and I hereby declare that'the followingisa full, clear, and exact description thereof, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of vthisspecification.

This invention is an improvement in gasgenerating apparatus whereingases, preferably illuminating-gas, are produced by chemical action, asadmitting water ont-o calcium carbid, for instance; and the object ofthe invention is lo provide a self-controlling apparatus of a simple,reliable, and efficient construction. v y

Briefly stated, the apparatus embodies a gas cooler and drier, astoring-tank or gasometer connected therewith, a water-supply andcool*-v ing chamber attached to the gasometer and connected to thegenerating-chamber, means whereby the flow of water is automaticallyYcontrolled by the rise and fall of the ga'some'-A ter, and agenerating-chamber detachably connected to the water-supply chamber, thegenerating-chamber being detachable from the apparatus for cleansing orfor replenishing the carbid, the. Within said generatingchamber is aseries of carbid-holders, each having a series of compartments and socon# strncted as to be successively filled with water, so that thegeneration ol` gas willbe regular and uniform.

The inventionv therefore consists inl the novel constructions andcombinationsof parts of the apparatus, as hereinafter claimed, and theaccompanying drawings illustrate a preferred form of apparatus embodyingmy invention, which I will now describe in detail.

In said drawings, Figure lis a sectional elevation of the completeapparatus, showing the parts in the posit-ion assumed when supply ofwater to generator is cut oft. Fig. 2 is an enlarged section throughwater-supply and cooler and generator, showing parts in position toadmit water to generating-chamber. Fig. 3 is a detail View of one of thecarbidholders. Fig. 4 is a detail view of the generator-cover fastening.Fig. 5 is a detail horizontal section through the water-s uppl ychamber. Figs. o' and 7 are detail sectional and plan views of thecoupling between the watersupply chamber and generator. Fig. 8 is adetail section through the watensu pply-regulating pipe.

A designates a cylinder forming the lower portion or tank of thegasometer,within which is an inverted gas-holder B. This tank has afalse bottom a, below which is a chamber a', forming a drip-chamber andwater seal for vthe gas-inlet pipe O and outlet-pipe D,.here inafterreferred to.

The holderB is limited in its upward movement by a rod A', fastened tothe bottom of the tank A and extending up through the center of theholder,the latter being provided with a central tube B to surround rodA' and prevent escape of gas. The holder is also provided with a tube b,which extends from the bottom to a point slightly above the top of theholder fand surrounds the outlet-pipe D. The holder vmay be providedwith a relief or vent pipe b3 to 'prevent undue pressure of gas. Thispipe telescopes into a tube b4,depending from the cover and closed atits upper end, but provided near its lower end with openings b5, whichif the holder rises beyond the sa fe point will emerge from the waterand permit gas to escape into the tube b4 and thence through pipe 3 intothe atmosphere at a suitably remote point. Vithin the holder is a fioatE, which is suitably perforated for passage of tubes B b b4 and pipe1/,but tits neatly within the holder and keeps the gas therein out ofcontact with the-water. VThe tube b is perforated near its .,upperend,as at ZJ', just below the top of holder," so as to admit gas into thetube, and thus to pipe D, so that gas will always be withdrawn from thetop of the holder. The lower ends of pipes C D are open, but are closedor sealed by the Water in chamber a. Above the water in chamber a pipe Dconnects with` an outlet-pipe D', which may lead to the burners, butpreferably leads to a second gasometer, or what I call a cooler anddrier, which is constructed substantially like the gasometer abovedescribed, similar parts being indicated by like letters of reference;but its holder is not weighted as heavily, so that the gas therein ismore expanded IOO ` erator, as hereinafter explained.

than in holder B, which cools and dries the gas more thoroughly beforeit is passed onto the burners.

Pipe C is connected in chamber a with the gas-inlet pipe C', which leadsfrom the upper part of the feed-water chamber F, attached to the side ofthe tank A, as shown, near the top thereof. Within this chamber isplaced an inverted gas-trapping vessel G, which has a cap g, whichprojects slightly above the top of the vessel and surrounds the upperendof pipe C', as shown. The vessel Ghas a similar cap g2, which surroundsa gas-inlet pipe H, that extends down through the bottom of the chamberF and is connected with the gen- Pipe H is utilized both as the conduitfor admitting water from chamber F to the generator Jand as a conductorfor gas from the generator to chamber F. To pipe H, at a point withinthe chamber F and near the bottom thereof, is connected by a hinge orswinging joint h a short tube h, which lies within vessel G and iscapable of swinging from a horizontal to a vertical position therein.Connected to the hinged end of pipe 7L, so as to operatively control thelatter, is an arm h2, which lies Within vessel G, but is separated frompipe h by and inclosed within an oval tube G',

that forms a water-sealed chamber Within the casing, and through thistube G' passes the controlling and actuating rod I, the upper end ofwhich is attached to a bracket I', projecting from the holder B, and thelower end of rod I is preferably guided in a tube F', depending from thebottom of chamber F. Rod I has a horizontal return-bend 'i within tubeGr, and it is adapted to play through an eye h2 on the end of arm h2, asshown. As the holder B risesv and falls rod I is raised and lowered.When the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 2, rod I is in'itslower-most position. Consequently loop i has engaged eye h3 and forcedarm h2, and with it tube h, to horizontal position, as shown, and theopen end of tube h being submerged Water will Howinto the generatorthrough tube Zz and pipe H. As the gasometerrises loop il will pull armh2 upward until it reaches the vertical position, as shown in dottedlines, Fig. 2, which will raise the end of tube h above the watercutting off iow to the generator. The eye 7a2 now stands in suchposition that the rod I can continue to rise with the holder B withoutfurther shifting the arm h2, but holding it and tube hin position tokeep water-supply to generator cut off until the holder descendssufhcicntly to rengage loop t' with eye h2. Of course the amount ofswing of the tube Zz, depends vupon the descent of the holder, and asthe gas is generated very rapidly there is practically but very littlewater admitted at any one time into the generator.

The generator J comprises a cylindrical vessel having a removable coverJ which is preferably hermetically sealed by means of the swinging bailj, pivoted to the vessel, and

a bent leverj, pivoted at its bend to the top of the-cover J. The shortarm of leverjl is adapted to engage a bolt 72 tapped through the bail,and when leverj is turned so as to bring its short arm to verticalposition the cover will be closed gas-tight. The cover has an inlet-tubeJ2, which is detachably connected to the lower end of pipe H by asuitable coupling K, and a valve H3 is placed in thelower end of pipe Habove coupling K, and, if desired, a similar valve J3 may be placed inpipe J2. When it is desired to detach the generator' from the apparatus,valves HB and J 3 may be closed and then coupling K disconnected,thereby detaching the generator from the apparatus Without permittingescape of gas from the apparatus. The coupling K which I prefer to useis best shown in Figs. G and 7. On' theend of pipe J is fitted a socketM, adapted to receive a collar Am on the end of pipe J. On socket-pieceM is pivoted a bifurcated lever N, the legs ofvwhich are pivoted to thelegs of a yoke n, which is adapted to engage the collar m and bind thesame tightly to the socket-piece, as shown in said figures. By turninglever N back over pipe J the yoke is caused to release the collar andthe parts can be instantly detached. By simply inserting the collar inthe socket, turning the yoke over the collar,'and then turning lever Nover toward pipe H the parts are quickly and gas-tightly coupled.

The generator contains a number of carbidholders L, arranged one abovethe other. Each holder has a central funnel Z at its top, below which isa tube Z2, which is not in direct communication with the funneland opensthrough the bottom of the holder. The holder is divided by radialpartitions L into a series of com partmen ts which com municate throughopenings L2 in the upper ends of the partitions. The funnel Z has anopening Z in its side, which communicates with one (the first)compartment, and tube Z2 has an opening Z3 in its top, whichcommunicates with another (the last) compartment. The Water admitttedinto the funnel flows through opening Z into the first compartment, andafter filling same the water overflows into the next vcompartment, andafter all compartments are thus successively lled the water escapesthrough opening Z3 into tube Z2 and thence into the funnel Z of the nextlower holder, and so on until the whole series of compartments in theseries of holders are successively filled. In this way I am enabled tograduate the charges of carbid required to maintain the supply of gaswith great nicety, and too sudden and too voluminous generation of gasis prevented.

Operation: The tank A, chamber F, and chamber a.' should be properlysupplied with water prior to starting the machine, valve H3 beingclosed. Then suitable charges of carbid are placed in the holders andthe latter securely sealed within the generator. The

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water from chamber F into the generator, and the generated gas flowsfirst into chamber F, where it is somewhat cooled, then passes to thegasometer, and nally to the cooler and drier. When sufficient gas isaecumulated in holder B, it rises and causes rod I to raise arm h andmove feed-pipe h, so that the water-supply to generator is cut o andremains cut oit until holder B again descends sufficiently to cause rodI to restablish the water-feed. The return flow of gases through pipe Hassists in retarding the iiow of water; but I do not depend thereupon toregulate the generation of gas. IVhen it is desired to cleanse orreplenish the generator, valve H is closed and coupling K disconnected,and the generator can then be removed and cleansed and replenished atany convenient place without interfering with the consumption of gasmeanwhile.

I do not herein claim the construction of the gasometer per se nor thecarbid-holders per se, these being regarded as subjects for divisionalapplications.

Having thus described my invention, what I therefore claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent thereon, is-

1. The combination of the gasometer, a Water-supply chamber, and agenerator; with a pipe for conducting gas from the chamber to thegasometer, a pipe for conducting water from the chamber to the generatorand gas from the generator to the chamber, devices for admitting -Waterfrom said chamber into said generator-pipe, and means actuated by.

the rise and fall of the'gas-holder controlling the operation of saiddevices, for-the purpose and substantially as described.

2. The combination of the gasometer, a water-supply and gas-coolingchamber attached thereto, and a generator below the said chamber; and apipe for conducting gas from the chamber to the gasometer, a pipe forconducting Water from the chamber to the generator and gas from thegenerator to the chamber; with devices Within the chamber for admittingwater therefrom into said generator-pipe, and means for controlling theoperation of the water-supply devices actuated by the rise and fall ofthe gas-holder, for the purpose and substantially as described.

3. The combination ofa gasometer,a Watersupply chamber and a generator;with a pipe connecting the generator with said chamber for conductingwater from the chamber to the generator and gas from the generator tothe chamber, and a pipe for conducting gas from said chamber to thegasometer, a movable feed-pipe within said chamber connected to saidgenerator-pipe, and means operated by the gasometer for moving saidfeed-pipe, substantially as described.

4. The combination of a gasometer, a watersupply and gas-cooling chamberand a generator; with a pipe connecting the generator with said chamberfor conducting Water from the chamber to the generator and gas from thegenerator to the chamber, and a pipe for conducting gas from saidchamber to the gasometer, a hinged feed-pipe within said chamberconnected to said pipe, and a vertically-movable rod connected to thegasometer controlling the position of said feed-pipe,substan tially asdescribed.

5. The combination of the gasometer, the generator, and a water-supplychamber; with a pipe connecting said gasometer to said chamber, meansfor admitting water from the chamber into said pipe, controlled by thegasometer; an inverted gas-trapping vessel in said chamber inclosing theWaterand gas inlet and outlet pipes, and a pipe for conducting gas fromthe interior of said vessel to the gasometer, substantially asdescribed.

6. The combination of the gasometer, the generator, a water-supplychamber, a pipe connecting said gasometer to said chamber, and a movablefeed-pipe for admitting water from the chamber into said pipe; with avertically-movable rod actuated by the gasometer adapted to control theposition of said pipe; an inverted gas-trapping vessel in said chamberinclosing the water-feed pipe, and a pipe for conducting gas from theinterior of said vessel to the gasometer, substantially as described. f

7. The combination of the gasometer, the generator, and the water-supplychamber, an inverted gas-trapping vessel in said chamber, a pipe forconducting gas from the interior of said vessel to the gasometer, a pipeconnected with the'generator and leading into the interior of saidvessel, a movable Waterfeed pipe Within said vessel, and devicesactuated by the gas-holder of the gasometer controlling the rise andfall of said feed-pipe, for the purpose and substantially as described.

8. The Vcombination of the gasometer, the generator, and thewater-supply chamber, an inverted gas-trappin g vessel in said chamber,a pipe for conducting gas from the interior of said vessel to thegasometer, a pipe connected with the generator and leading into theinterior of said vessel, a hinged Water-feed pipe Within said vesselconnected to said generator-pipe, and a vertically-movable rod con'-nected to and actuated by the gas-holder of the gasometer extending intosaid vessel and controlling the rise and fall of said feed-pipe.

9. The combination of the gasometer, the Water-chamber, and thegenerator; with a detaehable pipe connection between the generator andwater-chamber through which water is admitted to the generator and gasto the chamber, the water-supplydevices within the chamber, and meansactuated bythe holder of the gasometer,controlling the water-supply tothe gasometer, substantially as described.

l0. The combination of the gasometer, the water-chamber, and thegenerator, and a detachable pipe connection between the generator andwater-chamber through which water is admitted to the generator and gasto the chamber with Water feed pipe within the IOS) chamber, and avertically-movable rod connected to and actuated by the holder of thegasometer, said rod controlling the position of the feed-pipe, and apipe for conducting gas from the water-chamber to the gasometer,substantially as described.

11. The combination of the water-supply chamber, and generator, and adetachable pipe connection between said chamber and generator throughwhich pipe vwater is admitted directly from the chamber to the gen-verator and through which pipe gas is returned from the generator throughthe chamber; with the water-feed-regulating devices controlled by thegeneration of gas, substantially as described.

12.' The combination of the water-supply chamber, the generator, and thedetachable pipe connection between said chamber and generator throughwhich pipe water is admitted directly from the chamber to the generatorand through which pipe gas is returned from the generator through thechamber; wit-h the movable water-feed pipe, and means, controlled by thegeneration of gas, for raising and lowering said feed-pi pe and therebystopping or starting the water-feed to generator, substantially asdescribed.

13. rIhe combination of the water-supply chamber, the gasometer, and thegenerator, a pipe connecting the generator with the chamber throughwhich water is conducted to the generator and gas to the chamber, saidpipe having a detachable section or coupling intermediate the chamberand generator, and a pipe for conducting gas from said chamber to thegasometer; with a hinged water-feed pipe, and a rod connected to andactu ated by the holder ot' the gasometer, for raising or lowering saidfeed-pipe, for the purpose and substantially as described.

14. The combination of the Water-supply chamber, the gasometer, and thegenerator, a

pipe connecting the generator with the chamber through which water isconducted to the generator and gas to the chamber, said pipe having adetachable section or coupling intermediate the chamber and generator,and av valve for closing said pipe to prevent escape of gas from thechamber when the generator is disconnected; with a pipe for conductinggas from said chamber to the gasometer, a hinged water-feed pipe withinsaid chamber, and a vertically-movable rod connected to and actuated bythe holder of the gasometer,

for raising or lowering said feed-pipe, for the purpose andsubstantially as set forth.

15. The combination of a gasometer, a water-supply and gas-coolingchamber, a generator and a pipe connecting the generator andwater-chamber,l a movable Water-feed pipe within said chamber, and a rodconnected to the gasometer and having a bend within the chamber, saidbend having a sliding engagement with an eye connected with saidfeedpipe, substantially as described.

16. The combination of a gasometer, awater-supply and gas trapping andcooling chamber, a generator and a pipe connecting the generator withthe water-chamber, a feedtube in said chamber having a hinge or swingjoint connection to said pipe, an arm connected to said tube, and a rodconnected to the gasometer having a bend within the water-chamberslidably engaged with and adapted to actuate said arm, substantially asdescribed.

17. The combination of the water-supply chamber, and gasometer connectedtherewith, and a feed-pipe in said chamber adapted to supply Water tosaid generator; with an inverted gas-trapping vessel in said chamberhaving a depending water-sealed tube, an arm connected to the feed-pipeprojecting into said tube and a rod passing through said tube having abend engaging said arm, substantially as described.

18. The combination of a generator, a water-supply and gas-coolingchamber, commu.- nicating therewith, and a detachable gasometercommunicating with said chamber, and with the generator through saidchamber for the purpose and substantially as described.

19. The combination ot' a gasometer, a gascooling and water-supplychamber and a generator; a pipe connecting the generator with saidchamber, a movable feed-pipe within said chamber connected to saidgenerator-pipe, and means operated by the gasometer for moving saidfeed-pipe, with pipes for conducting gas from the gasometer to the pointof utilization, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I affix my signaturein presence of two witnesses.

MOTT T. STEVENS.

Witnesses: Y

W. E. PURCELL, J. A. SLATTERY.

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